“In the Blogosphere” is a weekly series, which lists links to writing-related blogs I’ve stumbled upon throughout a given week. Most posts will be from that week, but if I find some “oldies but goodies,” I’ll throw those up here as well.
I never find as much time to read blogs as I want, but here are a few posts that struck me this week.
RESOURCES
Over at his blog, The Book Deal, editor extraordinaire Alan Rinzler shares some tips on hooking agents and editors. He also gives examples of good hooks. This blog is chock-full of all kinds of writing tips and just brimming with awesomeness, so check it out.
Over at WOW! Women on Writing, fellow Writer’s Digest contributor Kerrie Flanagan gives tips on how to pitch an agent.
The Oatmeal has become one of my favorite sites, with its hilarious lists on various subjects. I mostly love it for its grammar and spelling tips—although, I’m a little biased, as its style is reminiscent of the approach I used when I taught grammar. This post on spelling had me laughing out loud (ROTFL). This is my favorite:
I wrote two posts this week, mentioning poetry and screenwriting. If these areas are foreign to you, the folks over at Writer’s Relief can shed some light on them. Learn some poetry lingo here, and get some screenwriting resources here.
At Editorial Anonymous, learn a thing or two about deciphering those rejection letters with this tongue-in-cheek post.
As I discussed earlier this week, when I came to the end of last week’s fight to finish my manuscript, I realized my original title no longer worked. Desperate to be done with the thing and eager to apply the icing on my literary cupcake (what??), I, naturally, turned to the Internet for assistance with titles. I found some help at Writing-World.com, Writer’s Digest, and eHow.
LIT AGENTS
Blogger sisters Lisa and Laura Roecker give some of Nancy Coffey Literary agent Joanna Stampfel-Volpe‘s tips on synopses.
WordServe Literary‘s Rachelle Gardner offers some advice on perfecting that elevator pitch.
As well, FinePrint Literary‘s Janet Reid details what a writer needs to have ready when looking for an agent for fiction, memoir, and nonfiction with this straightforward list on her blog.
Last but not least, The Last Will of Moira Leahy author Therese Walsh of Writer Unboxed asks her agent, Elisabeth Weed of Weed Literary, about voice—something not easily defined, yet something every agent seeks.
UP FOR DISCUSSION
Over at Fiction City, my writer buddy, Lisa Katzenberger, asks: How Soon Do You Start Critiques?
Here, Robert McCrum of The Observer talks plagiarism and lists some famous examples of authors’ works which have been accused of it.
In this guest post on Rachelle Gardner‘s Rants & Ramblings, editor Chuck Sambuchino asks, “Would you pay more for an agent?” And many weigh in…
CONCERNING A WRITER’S NEUROSES
I shall keep these three posts close by during this query (and, hopefully, submission) process:
- On her blog, (W)ords and (W)ardances, Jodi Meadows reminds us there’s no shame in being a writer
- At Kierstin Writes, YA author Kierstin White (try to say that three times fast!) gives us a wake-up call about life after snagging an agent
- At MFA Confidential, Kate Monahan discusses taking time away from your work—and how it can benefit your objectivity of it as well as your mental health regarding it.
Yes, that's "Monk."
OPPORTUNITIES
Like to read? Like to blog? Here, Thomas Nelson Publishers‘ Michael Hyatt tells how to get your hands on free books and get your name out there by reviewing them.
Don’t forget to enter my contest here on the blog. Click here for details on my easy-peasy contest, and see how you can win a brand-new 2010 Guide to Literary Agents!
JUST ‘CAUSE
Ricki Cardenas 